International Beauty Supply

JOE WACKERMAN

For anyone reading this on the West Coast, and in particular the Seattle area, I highly recommend you take a little trip down to Pioneer Square and check out his new show Fools & Kings at All City Coffee at 125 Prefontaine Pl S.

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Joe for quite a few years now and fondly remember his humble beginnings and lingering self-doubt regarding his talents. Nothing to worry about anymore, he’s been having regular shows for years now and seems rather comfortable with his excellent, if not dark process of self-examination, fearlessly exploring some rather personal issues within a consistently disturbing and creepy motif reminiscent of East European poster art from the late 60s and early 70s.

Here’s what Joe has to say about all this.

Joseph Wackerman is a self-taught artist originally from Long Island, New York whose made Seattle his home for the last 22yrs.Throughout this time Joseph has made a living as a tradesmen in the construction field.

He has been painting and making art for the last 10 years. Using mostly found wood and scrounged materials picked up on job sites and what he likes to call his “Route down First Avenue to Georgetown” and back up along the train tracks—although he admits to the purchasing of some materials.

In this show Joseph explores through his twisted cartoon-like figures how people find their place within the ever-widening gap between those who have, and those who have not.